Sheet feeding apparatus



Aug. 30, 1960 Filed Nov. 22, 1957 W. F. GOLDING SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 30, 1960 Filed Nov. 22, 1957 w. F. GOLDING 2,950,914

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 30, 1960 w. F. GOLDING SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 22, 1957 Aug. 30, 1960 w. F. GOLDING SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 22, 1957 1960 w. F. GOLDING 2,950,914

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 22, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 30, 1960 w. F. GIOLDING 2,950,914

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 22, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 SIEET FEEDIN G APPARATUS William Frank Golding, 22 Parrys Close, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, England Filed Nov. 22, 1957, Ser. No. 698,264

9 Claims. (Cl. 271-45) This invention relates to sheet feeding apparatus for a machine for working sheets, e.g. a cardboard embossing press.

The subject matter of this application is a continuationin-part of the invention claimed and described in my application Ser. No. 601,266, filed July 31, 1956, now abancloned.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved gripping device for the sheet and an improved general arrangement of a gripping device operating mechanism relative to the remainder of the machine.

According to this invention I provide a sheet feeding apparatus for a machine for working sheets, e.g. a cardboard embossing press, said apparatus comprising conveyor chains adapted for the transport of a sheet gripping device from a sheet reception to a sheet release point, characterized in that the gripping device comprises a gripper bar secured to said chains transversely therebetween and defining a common lower gripper jaw, a plurality of leaf springs defining individual upper gripper jaws and having an end portion secured to said gripper bar and a free end portion pressing onto said gripper bar and a lever pivoted to the gripper bar adjacent each of said leaf springs and adapted to raise the free end thereof when being pivoted in one direction, and wherein there is provided above each of said sheet reception and release points an operating member mounted on a stationary part of the machine and adapted to be lowered onto the gripping device into cooperation with said levers to pivot the latter in said one direction. 1

Constructional embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a cardboard embossing press embodying a sheet feeding apparatus according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line IIII in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged part view in the direction of the arrow Ill in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IV-IV in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line VV in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectioned perspective view of a gripping device.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line VI-VI in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a sectioned perspective view of an alternative form of gripping device.

Fig. 9 is a section on the line IXIX in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line X-X in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a portion of another alternative form of gripping device.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line X[IXII in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 11.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided a card? board embossing press comprising side frames 1, a fixed platen 2 and a movable platen 3. intermittently movable chains 4 are provided with gripping devices 5 having a straight or working run 6 defined by the distance between chain sprockets 7 and 8. Three gripping devices 5 are shown as situated, respectively, at a sheet receiving point 9, a sheet working point 10 and a sheet release point 11. When the gripping devices 5 are situated as shown the chains 4 stand still for the receiving of a sheet 12 by the device 5 at the point 9 and the simultaneous working and releasing of similar sheets having previously been transported to the points 10 and 11 respectively.

Referring now also to Figs. 3 to 6, each gripping device 5 comprises a bar 13 extending transversely between the chains 4 and secured thereto by its ends. The bar 13 is of substantially rectangular cross section and defines a common lower jaw of the gripping device 5. Individual upper jaws are formed by a plurality of leaf springs 14 each having an end 15 at which the spring 14 is secured to the leading edge portion of the bar 13 (having regard to the direction of travel of the chains 4) and an end 16 at which the spring 1 1 presses onto the trailing edge portion of the bar 13. Between its ends 15, 16 the spring 14 comprises an arched portion 17 provided with a slot 18. Substantially under the arched portion 17 there is situated a. double-ended lever 19 adapted to be pivoted on the bar 13, the pivot being formed by a ball 26. The lever 19 comprises a work arm 21 and a load arm 22, the work arm 21 being accessible from above the spring 14 through the slot 18 and the load arm 22 being provided with a head 23 extending laterally under the spring 14 near the end 16 thereof. The arrangement is such that lowering of the arm 21 causes the head 23 to raise the end 16 of the spring 14, Le. the lever 19 defines a means for opening the upper jaw formed by the end 16 of the spring 14. A recess 24 is provided in the bar 13 to form a clearance for the arm 21 when the latter is being lowered.

An operating mechanism 25 for the gripping device 5.

when at the sheet receiving point 9 comprises a member or bar 26 disposed above the gripping device 5 and parallel to the bar 13 thereof. The bar 26 is provided above the work arm 21 of each of the levers 19 with a vertical extension or pin 27 screw-threaded through the bar 26 and positioned for the lower end thereof to abut the arm 21. The bar 26 is provided with two upstanding brackets 28 pivoted at their upper ends to two levers 29 secured to a shaft 31) journalled in the side frames 1 in a position between the sprockets 7 and the platen 2. The bar 26 is further supported by two links 29a situated at a level below that of the levers 29 and pivoted at their respective ends to the bar 26 and an extension 32 of the platen 2. Outside one of the side frames 1 the shaft 30 has secured thereto an operating lever 31 connected to a cam (not shown) cooperating and timed to lower and raise the lever 31 when the chains 4 and thus the gripping device 5 stand still to thereby lower and raise the bar 26. Lowering of the bar 26 causes the pins 27 to depress the work arms 21 of the levers 19 and thus to raise the end 16 of the springs 14 for the admission of the sheet 12 into the gripping device 5. When the bar 26 is raised again the springs 14 become free to grip the sheet 12. The pressure of the pins 27 on the gripping device 5 is taken up by two rollers 33 situated below the bar 13 and mounted in brackets 34 supported on the side frames 1. The extent of depression of the arms 21 of the levers 19 is individually adjustable by rotating the pins 27.

It will be seen that the operating mechanism 25 is situated substantially inside the are described by the chains 1 when coming round the sprockets 7 with the result that apart from the rollers 33 no members of the operating mechanism are situated outside or below this arc. This arrangement has advantages in respect of the lay out of the machine inasmuch as the operating mechanism is well accessible for adjustment and servicing and for the accommodation of other mechanism relat- 3 ing to the machine which must necessarily be provided below said are.

.Another advantage of this arrangement of the operating mechanism 25 is that it may be combined with a lay gauge for the sheet 12. Referring to Figs, 3 and 7,

each of the brackets 28 has secured thereto a depending arm 35 adapted to enter a recess 36 in the trailing edge portion of the bar 13 when the bar 26 is lowered. When the sheet 12 is pushed into position in the gripping device the leading edge of the sheet 12 abuts the arm 35 whereby the longitudinal lay of the sheet 12 is effected. The links 29a are shorter than the levers 29 whereby the bar 26 withdraws from the lowered posi-' tion with a rearward and upward motion to avoid chafing of the arms 35 on the leading edge of the sheet 12.

An operating mechanism 37 for the gripping device 5 at the sheet release position 11 is diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 1 and is constructed in substantially the same manner as the operating mechanism 25. Referring to Fig. 1, a bar 38 provided with pins 27 is secured to one end of a lever 39 the other end of which is secured to a shaft 40 journalled in the side frames 1. Outside one of the side frames 1 the shaft 4% has secured thereto a lever 41 cooperating with a cam 42 timed to cause lowering of the pins 27 in the bar 38 in the same manner as has been described with reference to the bar 26. It will be seen that the operating mechanism 37 is disposed substantially inside the are described by the chains 4 when passing around the sprockets 8 so that the mechanism 37 is readily supportable on the side frame 1 and has no members situated below or outside this are. This arrangement greatly facilitates the design of the machine inasmuch as there is now no difliculty' of having to provide additional structure below the chains for operating the gripping device 5.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 10, there is provided a grip- .ping device 43 comprising a bar 44 made of sheet metal and being substantially of rectangular box section formed by a lower trough-shaped part 45 and an upper flat part 46, the latter being provided with an upstanding bead 47 extending the length of the bar 44. A strengthening member 48 substantially of inverted V-section is provided between the lower member 45 and the inside of the bead 47 to support the latter. Only a short part length of the bar 44 is shown and it is to be understood that the bar extends over a length similar to the bar 26 hereinbefore described and the bar 44 is likewise securable to the chains 4 by its ends. One of a plurality of individual upper jaws is shown in the illustrations. The jaw comprises a leaf spring 49 extending across the top of the bar 44 and having an end 50 secured to the leading edge portion of the bar 44 (having regard to the direction of travel of the bar 44 as indicated by the arrow 60) and an end 51 at which the spring 49 presses onto the trailing edge portion of the bar 44. Between its ends 50, 51 the spring 49 is pro vided with a U-shaped cut 52, the open end of the U being near the end 51 of the spring 43. The cut divides the spring transversely into two outer spring portions 53 and an inner portion or lever 54 having a work arm 55 and a load arm 56 still attached to the spring, the lever being flexible by virtue of the resilience of the spring material. Intermediate its ends the lever 54 is seated at 57 on the head 47, the latter forming a fulcrum for the lever 54. The lever 54 is strengthened against bending by a rib 58. The outer spring portions 53 are arched and each has a clearance 59 with the head 47. The free end 55 of the lever 54 is situated in a position whereby it may be abutted by a pin 27 as hereinbefore described with reference to the lever 1h of the gripping device 5 and the operating mechanisms 25 and 37. Depression of the free end 55 of the lever 54' causes the end 51 of the spring 49 to be raised, i.e. causes the jaw to open.

Referring to Figs. 1113 the gripping device 5 comprises a bar 13 having a leading edge portion 13:: and a trailing edge portion 13b. A leaf spring 14 is positioned above the bar 13 and extends between the portions 13a, 13b thereof. One end portion of the spring 14, denoted 15, is secured to the portion of the bar 13 while the other end portion of the spring 14, denoted 16, is free. The spring 14 is so disposed that its end portion 16 presses on to the edge portion 13b of the bar 13 to grip a sheet 12.

The bar 13 is provided with a recess 70 containing a double-ended lever 71 extending parallel to direction of the length of the bar 13, i.e. at right angles to the direction of travel of the bar 13 as indicated by the arrow 60. The lever 71 comprises a load arm 72 disposed under the free end portion 16 of the spring 14 and a work arm 73 disposed clear of the spring 14. A pivot pin 74 for the lever 71 is seated in the bar 13.

Above the work arm 73 there is disposed a vertical extension or pin 27 for pivoting the lever 71. When the pin 27 is lowered on to the work arm 73, the lever 71 is pivoted so that the load arm 72 raises the end portion 16 of the spring 14 to release the sheet 12.

It will be noted that by virtue of the recess 70 the lever 71 is situated substantially within the cross section of the unrecessed remainder of the bar 13. Thereby the overall thickness of the gripping device 5 is not, or only negligeably, effected by the presence of the lever 71 and no difliculty is experienced as regards the clearance required for the device 5 when passing between the platens 2, 3 (see Fig. 1) of the machine in the course of operation.

As described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the bar 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow 60' from a sheet reception to a sheet release point, and a plurality of springs 14 are provided in spaced apart relationship along the bar 13. Each spring 14 is associated with a corresponding lever 71 and there are provided a corresponding number of pins 27. Also, the pins 27 are operated substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sheet feeding apparatus having conveyor chains adapted for the transport of a sheet gripping device from a sheet reception point to a sheet release point wherein the gripping device comprises a gripper bar secured to said chains transversely therebetween and defining a common lower gripper jaw, a plurality of leaf springs defining individual upper gripper jaws and each having an end portion secured to said gripper bar and an unsecured portion pressing onto said gripper bar, a double-ended lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the gripper bar adjacent each of said leaf springs and having its load arm positioned to cooperate with and raise the unsecured portion of said leaf spring when said lever is pivoted in one direction and its work arm positioned clear of the vertical projection of said leaf spring so as to be accestion and release points on a stationary part of the ma chine and being adapted to be lowered into cooperation with said work arm to depress the latter and pivot said lever in said one direction.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lever is formed by being severed from the sheet material of said leaf spring except at the extremity of said load arm where the latter is integral with the said free end portion of said leaf spring and may flex thereabout when said lever is pivoted.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lever is so positioned that said load arm is situated under said leaf spring remote from the secured portion thereof, and said work arm is situated adjacent said secured portion at a position intermediate between theoverall width of said leaf spring, said leaf spring being provided with an aperture for making said work end accessible from above said leaf spring.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lever is positioned on said gripper bar for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of travel of said gripping device.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said lever is situated in a recess in said gripper bar.

6. In a sheet feeding apparatus having a pair of driven conveyor chains supporting between them a bar defining a collective lower jaw, a plurality of individual upper j-aws provided on the bar and cooperating therewith to grip a sheet, and a double-ended lever pivotally supported on said bar and cooperating with each of said upper jaws to raise the latter when being pivoted in one direction, said lever extending in the direction of the length of said bar.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said lever is situated in a recess in said bar, said lever and recess being so dimensioned that said lever lies substantially within the cross section of the unrecessed remainder of the bar.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operating mechanism comprises a member positioned above said gripper bar and provided in respect of each lever with a dependent extension positioned for the bottom end thereof to abut said work arm and pivot said lever when said operating mechanism is lowered.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said extensions are provided with means for being individually adjustable as to the amount by which they extend from said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,916,965 Cunningham July 4, 1933 2,418,065 Bobst Mar. 25, 1947 2,829,890 Kury et a1. Apr. 8, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 937,543 France Mar. 15, 1948 

